The Boxer muzzle

[RocketBoxer]

My dogs all have correct length muzzles and none of them have huge problems with the heat, and I live in Texas and compete in agility and such with my dogs and Brian runs with Star. I have not had any problems.

However, one of the boys in my last litter had a very short muzzle and it seems that he has more problems with the heat, and just breathing in general, than my dogs.

[markwantsaboxer]

I think it's a combination of the muzzle, the acclimation, and the individual dog.  

Muzzle Length: It does seem like boxers with overdone heads/super-short muzzle have a very hard time with heat. It makes sense since the air enteres the body at nearly the same temp as the air outside. With boxers with correct length or slightly long muzzle, it seems to vary more. Kind of like humans - our noses aren't all that long, but our tolerance for heat varies widely.

Acclimation: during the recent cold snap in Florida, I read about obedience boxer having to stay in the car to keep warm during "cold" temperatures - people were running their cars periodically to keep their pups from shivering.  But I wouldn't say "boxers can't tolerate 40 degree weather" - I'd say dogs from Florida can't tolerate it. On the opposite end, a woman from up North was at the ABC in Fort Mitchell, KY and made a huge deal about how she had to keep her dogs cool because they weren't used to the warm weather.  ABC Nationals are in early May and not warm by even my NY/Maine standards.  I think it was 60 degrees or so?

Individuals: Xena and Dash have both lived in Central NY their entire adults lives (and most of puppyhood). Their noses are close in length and a little long for the breed. Xena can go sunbathing on a 90 degree day without panting, Dash can end up panting just from a long potty break. If anything you'd think Xena might overheat - her "lines" (such as they are.. ick) are from North Carolina, a warmer climate, she's got less fur to insulate her and she's got a lot more black on her body.

Muzzle length: the Worldwide Boxer website notes that many European dogs have overly short muzzles, with a muzzle to head ratio of 1 to 4, very divergent from the standard.  This is interesting concerning the debate whether American-bred Boxers cannot work properly.  Americans might be doing something right here, despite criticism.

Acclimation:  Good point.  One of the traits of the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed is their ability to acclimate to extremes in climate.  This is important in in-land Africa, where in at sunset temperatures go rapidly from hot and humid to quite cold.  But the Ridgeback, with its short coat, cannot handle prolonged and intense cold the way a Husky could, for example.  So acclimation is distinct from ultimately adjusting to different climates.  The Boxer is, after all, a German dog breed, and Germany is a northern country.  It might face certain challenges acclimating, but it can ultimately adjust as well as most breeds.

[Bugsys Mom]

Mine have a little bit of a tough time when its hot.  I think its because MN is so cold most of the year.  In the summer they spend alot of time either in the shaded screen porch or in the lake to stay cool.  We dont let them out for long periods of time.  Playing and roughhousing is done in the lake.

[Lisa]

Before moving to Michigan about 3.5 years ago I lived in much warmer climates, including Oklahoma where it was regularly in the 90's and sometimes over 100 in summer.  Zaynah had a very hard time with that, to the point that we wouldn't walk if it was over about 85, often going out in the middle of the night because sometimes that was the only time of day it was under 85.  Ugh, hate that place.  Artax handles heat much, much better despite being black, could go for walks in about any temperature as long as he has enough water.  Zaynah was much relieved by the cooler weather after moving here.

I've read from people who train Boxers as police dogs that their main drawback is not being able to handle heat as well as German Shepherds and other breeds with longer muzzles.

I don't like or handle hot weather well either so it works out fine for me. 

[markwantsaboxer]

If the Boxer muzzle, which is 33 percent of total head length according to the standard, were allowed to be extended to 40 percent, would this help with heat exhaustion? Would it eliminate it?

Rottweilers have a muzzle length of 40 percent, but I read that they are prone to heat exhaustion because of their black coats and thick muscles and large mass, not because they have shorter muzzles.

[Bugsys Mom]

I worry more about my Rott in the heat than I do my Boxers.

[Newcastle]

If the Boxer muzzle, which is 33 percent of total head length according to the standard, were allowed to be extended to 40 percent, would this help with heat exhaustion? Would it eliminate it?

Perhaps, but at what cost?  You'd then have a breed that was sort-of-but-not-quite a Boxer, with a head that was unsuitable for its original purpose of catching and holding large game.  Given that 98% of all Boxers are not placed in situations where extreme heat and humidity would pose a serious problem, it seems pointless to make such a dramatic change to a breed's form and function.


Nice to see you here, by the way, King.